Ponchiki

These doughnuts were a specialty of Warsaw Jewish bakers. The Polish Catholics who stood in line to buy them in the depths of winter probably did not realize that they were eating a Jewish delicacy made to celebrate Chanukah, when fried foods are traditional. Nowadays these doughnuts are as popular in Israel, where even Arabs enjoy them.

What did you think?

Man, those were awesome! I made them for a party and they disappeared before I knew it, I had to make twice as many. They're dense, but fluffy, and get an interesting flavor from the sour cream. I upped the salt to a half of a teaspoon and the vanilla to a full teaspoon on the second batch, and added cinnamon to my confectioners sugar to coat them.